Norwalk CA vs Portland ME — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norwalk
100,713
Norwalk +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Portland
11.1%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 68,505 | Norwalk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 11.1% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 4.2% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 3.2% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 3.1% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $76,174 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 11.3% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 46.7% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 27.7% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.8% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.1% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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